Speakers and Panelists

Simone is passionate about supporting a sustainable food system locally and nationally. After 28 years as an instructor at Yukon College, she moved to the private sector and partnered in creating a grocery store business, including a registered egg grading station. Simone, along with her husband Tom and son Graham, now run their own meat processing business Tum Tum’s Black Gilt Meats. Tum Tum’s operated the Yukon Government’s inspected mobile abattoir service for 11 years, and has built and operated a retail meat shop to feature local products. She is currently the coordinator of contingency and backup slaughter services for the Yukon mobile abattoir.Simone was a founding member of the Growers of Organic Food Yukon as well as the Fireweed Community Market. As an active farmer raising certified organic poultry, pigs, and hay crops, Simone regularly assists other producers with organic questions, marketing techniques, and the documentation required to achieve regulatory compliance. She volunteers on the board for the Growers of Organic Food Yukon, the Potluck Food Coop, and the Northern Fibres Guild.

Megan is the owner of her family farm, Lastraw Ranch. While raising poultry and pork, Megan, a founding member of Central Yukon Agricultural  Network (CYAN), is committed to working towards sustainable community-based agriculture development in the Klondike/Central Yukon area.

Adonika is the co-owner of the West Side Meat Market, a new business based out of West Dawson offering locally produced farm-gate pork, custom cutting, and processing. Adonika graduated from the Meat Processing program at Olds College in Alberta in 2023 and has trained with Tum Tums Black Gilt Meats in Whitehorse. She and her business partner, Jose Youx, operated the mobile abattoir in Dawson in 2024. Adonika is also a board member of the newly formed Central Yukon Agricultural Network.

Coming soon.